PARIS: France and Germany defense ministers met in Paris on Friday to formalize an agreement on a collaborative project known as the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), marking a significant step forward in the development of a groundbreaking new armored vehicle.
The MGCS, hailed as the ‘tank of the future,’ represents a substantial investment of billions of euros and is slated to replace Germany’s Leopard 2 tank and France’s Leclerc.
While emphasizing that the project is not about creating a new iteration of the Leopard 2 tank, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius underscored the goal of designing something entirely novel.
Pistorius further revealed that the next-generation tank will integrate artificial intelligence and feature automated systems, reducing the need for human intervention.
Contracts for manufacturers are expected to be finalized by year’s end, a target deemed ambitious yet achievable by the ministers.
Anticipated for completion by 2040, the development of the MGCS highlights Europe’s endeavor to bolster its defense capabilities in the face of advancing military technologies from global counterparts.
The MGCS initiative is the latest in a series of collaborative ventures between France and Germany, including the FCAS next-generation fighter jet and drone systems.
With Germany spearheading MGCS development and France leading the FCAS effort, both nations are equally committed to financing the new tank.
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu identified KNDS, Rheinmetall, and Thales as key companies poised to contribute to the MGCS construction.
Despite previous discord on issues such as energy transition, Pistorius emphasized that the joint agreement signifies mutual trust amid contemporary geopolitical challenges.
